A Collection of Medals Featuring The Efficiency Medal in its Various Forms in the UK and India
Last Site Update 08/08/25
New Items: WW1 pair, EM(T) & RFR Long Service: EM(T)(1982) to a Woman: Efficiency Decoration & EM(TAVR) Pair RRF: WW2, EM(T) & EM(TAVR) Group, worked at Bletchley Park: EM(T) [1982] 52nd Lowland Vol: Silver Jubilee 1977 & EM(T)[1982] LI: EM(TAVR) & Clasp to R.M.R.E.: Golden Jubilee, EM(TAVR) & VRSM Trio: GV EM(M): EM(AER) RPC: GSM Near East & EM(AER): WW2, Korea and EM(TAVR) Group to RA & OTC: GSM Malaya, EM(TAVR) and Special Constabulary LS Trio: GSM Malaya, EM(AER) and EM(TAVR) Trio:
Genealogy of The Efficiency Medal UK and India Issues
The Efficiency Medal was created in 1930 to consolidate the various long service awards awards issued to the volunteer army forces in the UK and throughout the Empire at the time. Click here for more information.
In the UK the Efficiency Medal had two different Scrolls, TERRITORIAL for the Territorial Army and MILITIA for certain categories of the Supplementary Reserve.
The organisation of the volunteer forces in the UK has changed throughout the life cycle of the Efficiency Medal resulting in the changes in Ribbons and Scrolls shown below.
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The scarcer medals have the numbers issued in brackets.
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The dates shown are those for which the medal could be qualified for, some will still be issued after the last date as late claimed awards.​
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Long Service Medals for Volunteers that precede the Efficiency Medal
Imperial Yeomanry Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
1904-1908
(1674)
Volunteer Long Service Medal
1894-1908
​(Except the (Isle of Man Vols and 7th Batt Kings (Liverpool) Rgt) until 1930)
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal
Original Ribbon
1908-1919
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal
New Ribbon
1919-1922
Special Reserve Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
1908-1930
(1078)
Territorial Efficiency Medal
1922-1930
Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
1896-1930​
Militia Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
1904-1930
(1587)
Re-organisation of Long Service Medals for the Voluntary elements of the British and Indian Armies
Royal Warrant 23rd September 1930 creating the Efficiency Medal.
Efficiency Medal
Territorial
Militia
GV 1930-1937
GV 1930-1937
(314)
GVI 1st Type
1937-1947
GVI 1st Type
1937-1947
GVI 2nd Type
1947-1952
GVI 2nd Type
1947-1952
EIIR 2nd Type
1952-1969
Re-organisation of the Territorial Army and the Army Emergency Reserve forming the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve. 1st April 1967
T. & A. V. R.
EIIR 2nd Type
1969-1982
Army Emergency Reserve
EIIR 2nd Type
1953-1967
(1319)
Creation of the Supplementary Reserve, AO 285 1924. This was to be known as Militia
Name change of the Supplementary Reserve to the Army Emergency Reserve, 6th September 1952
India
GV 1930-1937
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GVI 1st Type
1937-1947
The Efficiency Medal India ceased to be awarded following Indian Independence in 1947
On the 7th April 1982 the Reserve Forces Act changed the name of the Territorial & Army Volunteer Reserve back to the Territorial Army.
Territorial
(1982)
EIIR 2nd Type
1982-31st March 1999
Royal Naval Reserve Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
1908-31st March 1999
Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
1st April 1999-
Air Efficiency Award
1942-31st March 1999